DBT Therapy

+ How does DBT therapy work?

• The DBT therapy model consists of 4 major sets of skills:
  • Distress tolerance - learning to feel strong emotions without participating or reverting to destructive behavior patterns. These skill sets will allow you to tolerate stressful situations that cannot be changed immediately.
  • Emotional regulation - recognizing emotions, and increasing one’s ability to change or shift an emotional experience. These skills focus on helping you understand emotions and have to power to change them.
  • Mindfulness- increasing awareness of self, others and connection to the present moment. Mindfulness allows you to observe the here and now, without judgment. In practicing mindfulness, you will notice yourself becoming more aware of the present moment.
  • Interpersonal effectiveness- developing the skills to navigate relationships of all kinds. This set consists of communication skills in order for you to continue the practice of healthy communication.
• DBT therapy offers helpful acronyms within each skill set, so it is easier to remember the coping skills you learned within the session, to use in your everyday life. Some of these acronyms consist of ACCEPTS, PLEASE, DEAR MAN, THINK, FAST, and GIVE.

+ What types of mental health diagnosis is DBT therapy most effective for?

• We often discuss that DBT therapy really is a diverse enough skill set that most people can benefit from the skills and practices that are taught in DBT therapy. It really is a foundation for healthy emotions and thought. There is significant research on the impact and effectiveness of DBT therapy on multiple mental health diagnoses or concerns. These include:
  • Personality disorders, specifically borderline personality disorder
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Self harm / self injury
  • Substance use disorders and addiction
  • Trauma therapy or PTSD Treatment (Often used in combination with other trauma processing therapy models like EMDR therapy.)
  • Eating Disorders

+ Does DBT therapy have to be completed in a group format?

• DBT therapy traditionally consists of group therapy and weekly individual therapy, but the skills and practices of DBT can be modified and incorporated into individual therapy sessions or group formats. Both can be effective ways to learn their valuable skill sets.

+ How do DBT therapy groups work?

• The DBT group therapy consists of skills building exercises that participants complete together to work towards their goals of health and wellness. The idea is that you are able to learn and practice the skills along with peers, to then return to the next session and report the effectiveness of the skill. The four principles of DBT skills are Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Mindfulness, and Interpersonal Effectiveness. During these group therapy sessions, you will get a chance to learn and rehearse skills alongside peers. There typically is some homework as our brains need practice and repetition when learning new things.

+ What age groups are most likely to benefit from DBT therapy?

• DBT therapy is an evidence based model for children, teens, adolescents and adults. When DBT therapy is a part of teen and child therapy, the skills are modified to be developmentally appropriate and applicable to their stage of life and needs. And do not worry, the DBT therapy skill building process can be fun! Our therapists work to keep all ages engaged in the DBT therapy process with fun and dynamic ways to learn important skills.

+ Do I have to be in person to be able to travel to Arlington, TX to participate in or receive DBT therapy?

• We do have options for online therapy that can include DBT therapy. Online DBT groups are available at different time periods for Texas residents as there is appropriate interest and client needs arise. If you are interested in participating in DBT therapy but have some challenges to participate in, contact us so that we can discuss options that may be most appropriate for you.